Juno (spacecraft)

This article is about the spacecraft. For other uses, see Juno.
Juno

Artist's rendering of the Juno spacecraft bus
Mission type Jupiter orbiter
Operator NASA/JPL
COSPAR ID 2011-040A
Website missionjuno.swri.edu
Mission duration 6 years total

Cruise: 5 years
Science phase: 1 year
Spacecraft properties
BOL mass 3,625 kg (7,992 lb)[1]
Power 400 W; two 55-ampere-hour lithium-ion batteries[2]
Start of mission
Launch date August 5, 2011 (2011-08-05) 16:25:00 UTC
(4 years, 9 months and 3 days ago)
Rocket Atlas V 551 (AV-029)
Launch site Space Launch Complex 41
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, United States
Contractor Lockheed Martin
Flyby of Earth
Closest approach October 9, 2013 (2013-10-09)
(2 years, 6 months and 29 days ago)
Distance 559 km (347 mi)
Jupiter orbiter
Orbital insertion July 4, 2016 (planned)[3]
Orbits 37 (planned)[3]


Juno mission insignia


New Frontiers program
 New Horizons OSIRIS-REx

The JUpiter Near-polar Orbiter (Juno)[4] is a NASA New Frontiers mission currently en route to the planet Jupiter. Juno was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on August 5, 2011 and will arrive on July 4, 2016.[5] The spacecraft is to be placed in a polar orbit to study Jupiter's composition, gravity field, magnetic field, and polar magnetosphere. Juno will also search for clues about how the planet formed, including whether it has a rocky core, the amount of water present within the deep atmosphere, how its mass is distributed, and its deep winds, which can reach speeds of 618 kilometers per hour (384 mph).[6]

Juno will be the second spacecraft to orbit Jupiter, following the Galileo probe which orbited from 1995–2003.

The Juno spacecraft is powered by solar arrays, commonly used by satellites orbiting Earth and working in the inner Solar System, whereas radioisotope thermoelectric generators are commonly used for missions to the outer Solar System and beyond. For Juno, however, three solar array wings, the largest ever deployed on a planetary probe, will play an integral role in stabilizing the spacecraft and generating power.[7]

The spacecraft's name comes from Greco-Roman mythology. The god Jupiter drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief, but his wife, the goddess Juno, was able to peer through the clouds and see Jupiter's true nature.[8]

Overview

Juno's interplanetary trajectory; tick marks at 30-day intervals.
Juno spacecraft trajectory animation

Juno is on a five-year cruise to Jupiter, with arrival expected on 4 July 2016. The spacecraft will travel over a total distance of roughly 2.8 billion kilometers (18.7 AU; 1.74 billion miles).[9] The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter 37 times over the course of 20 months.[3] Juno's trajectory used a gravity assist speed boost from Earth, accomplished through an Earth flyby two years (October 2013) after its August 5, 2011 launch.[10] In July 2016, the spacecraft will perform an orbit insertion burn to slow the spacecraft enough to allow capture into a 14-day polar orbit.

Once in orbit, infrared and microwave instruments will begin to measure the thermal radiation emanating from deep within Jupiter's atmosphere. These observations will complement previous studies of its composition by assessing the abundance and distribution of water, and therefore oxygen. This data will provide insight into Jupiter's origins. Juno will also investigate the convection that drives general circulation patterns in Jupiter's atmosphere. Other instruments aboard Juno will gather data about its gravitational field and polar magnetosphere. The Juno mission is set to conclude in February 2018, after completing 37 orbits of Jupiter, when the probe will be de-orbited to burn up in Jupiter's outer atmosphere,[3] so as to avoid any possibility of impact and biological contamination of one of its moons.[11]

Launch

The Atlas V (AV-029) using a Russian-designed and built RD-180 main engine, powered by kerosene and liquid oxygen, was started and underwent checkout 3.8 seconds prior to the ignition of five strap-on solid rocket boosters (SRB). Following SRB burnout, approximately 1 minute 33 seconds into the flight, two of the spent boosters fell away from the vehicle followed 1.5 seconds later by the remaining three. When heating levels had dropped below predetermined limits, the payload fairing that protected Juno during transit through the thickest part of the atmosphere separated, about 3 minutes 24 seconds into the flight. The Atlas V main engine cut off 4 minutes 26 seconds after liftoff. 16 seconds later, the Centaur second stage ignited and burned for approximately 6 minutes, putting the satellite into an initial parking orbit.[12] The vehicle coasted for approximately 30 minutes, and then the Centaur was re-ignited for a second firing of 9 minutes, putting the spacecraft on an Earth escape trajectory.

Prior to separation, the Centaur stage used onboard reaction engines to spin Juno up to 1.4 RPM. About 54 minutes after launch, the spacecraft separated from the Centaur and began to extend its solar panels. Following the full deployment and locking of the solar panels, Juno's batteries began to recharge. Deployment of the solar panels reduced Juno's spin rate by two-thirds. The probe is spun to ensure stability during the voyage and so that all instruments on the probe are able to observe Jupiter.[11][13]

The voyage to Jupiter will take five years, which included an Earth flyby on October 10, 2013.[14][15] On 12 August 2013 Juno had traveled half of its journey to Jupiter. When it reaches the Jovian system, Juno will have traveled approximately 19 AU.[16]

Team

Scott Bolton of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas is the principal investigator and is responsible for all aspects of the mission. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California manages the mission and the Lockheed Martin Corporation was responsible for the spacecraft development and construction. The mission is being carried out with the participation of several institutional partners. Co-investigators include Toby Owen of the University of Hawaii, Andrew Ingersoll of California Institute of Technology, Frances Bagenal of the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Candy Hansen of the Planetary Science Institute. Jack Connerney of the Goddard Space Flight Center served as instrument lead.[17][18]

Cost

Juno was originally proposed at a cost of approximately US$700 million (FY03) for a June 2009 launch. NASA budgetary restrictions resulted in postponement until August 2011, and a launch on board an Atlas V rocket in the 551 configuration. As of June 2011, the mission was projected to cost $1.1 billion over its life.[19]

Scientific objectives

The Juno spacecraft's suite of science instruments will:[20]

Earth flyby

Earth as seen by JunoCam on its October 2013 Earth flyby
Video of Earth and Moon taken by the Juno spacecraft

After traveling for two years, Juno returned to pass by Earth in October 2013. It used Earth's gravity to help propel itself toward the Jovian system in a maneuver called gravitational slingshot.[25] The spacecraft received a boost in speed of more than 8,800 mph (3.9 km/s) and was set on a course to Jupiter.[26][25][27] The flyby was also used as a rehearsal for the Juno science team to test some instruments and practice certain procedures before the arrival to Jupiter.[25][28]

Orbit and environment

Juno's elliptical orbit and the Jovian radiation belts

Juno's planned polar orbit is highly ellipitical and takes it close to the poles—within 4,300 kilometers (2,672 mi)—but then far beyond even Callisto's orbit.[29] Each orbit takes 14 days and the spacecraft is expected to complete 37 orbits until the end of the mission.

This type of orbit helps the spacecraft avoid any long-term contact with Jupiter's radiation belts, which can cause damage to spacecraft electronics and solar panels.[29][30] The "Juno Radiation Vault", with 1-centimeter-thick titanium walls, will also aid in protecting and shielding Juno's electronics.[31] Despite the intense radiation, JunoCam and Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) are expected to endure at least eight orbits, while the microwave radiometer should endure at least eleven orbits.[32] In comparison, Juno will receive much lower levels of radiation than the Galileo orbiter at its equatorial orbit.

Scientific instruments

The Juno mission's science objectives will be achieved with a payload of nine instruments on board the spacecraft:[33][34][35][36][37]

Illustration Instrument Name Abbr. Description and scientific objective
Microwave radiometer
MWR
The microwave radiometer comprises six antennas mounted on two of the sides of the body of the probe. They will perform measurements of electromagnetic waves on frequencies in the microwave range: 600 MHz, 1.2 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 4.8 GHz, 9.6 GHz and 22 GHz. Only the microwave frequencies are able to pass through the thickness of the Jovian atmosphere. The radiometer will measure the abundance of water and ammonia in the deep layers of the atmosphere up to 200 bar pressure or 500 to 600 km deep. The combination of different wavelengths and the emission angle should allow to obtain a temperature profile at various levels of the atmosphere. The data collected will determine how deep is the atmospheric circulation.[38][39] (Principal investigator: Mike Janssen, Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper
JIRAM
The spectrometer mapper JIRAM, operating in the near infrared (between 2 and 5 μm), conducts surveys in the upper layers of the atmosphere to a depth of between 50 and 70 km where the pressure reaches 5 to 7 bars. JIRAM will provide images of the aurora in the wavelength of 3.4 μm in regions with abundant H3+ ions. By measuring the heat radiated by the atmosphere of Jupiter, JIRAM can determine how clouds with water are flowing beneath the surface. It can also detect methane, water vapor, ammonia and phosphine. It was not required that this device meets the radiation resistance requirements.[40][41] (Principal investigator: Angioletta Coradini, Italian National Institute for Astrophysics)
Magnetometer
MAG
The magnetic field investigation has three goals: mapping of the magnetic field, determining the dynamics of Jupiter's interior, and determination of the three-dimensional structure of the polar magnetosphere. The magnetometer experiment consists of the Flux Gate Magnetometer (FGM), which will measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field lines, and the Advanced Stellar Compass (ASC), which will monitor the orientation of the magnetometer sensors. (Principal investigator: Jack Connerney, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center)
Gravity Science
GS
The purpose of measuring gravity by radio waves is to establish a map of the distribution of mass inside Jupiter. The uneven distribution of mass in Jupiter induces small variations in gravity all along the orbit followed by the probe when it runs closer to the surface of the planet. These gravity variations drive small probe velocity changes. The purpose of radio science is to detect the Doppler effect on radio broadcasts issued by Juno toward Earth in Ka band and X band, which are frequency ranges that can conduct the study with fewer disruptions related to the solar wind or the ionosphere.[42][43][44] (Principal investigator: John AndersonJet Propulsion Laboratory. Principal investigator (Juno's Ka-band Translator KaT): Luciano Iess, Sapienza University of Rome)
Jovian Auroral Distribution Experiment
JADE
The energetic particle detector JADE will measure the angular distribution, energy, and the velocity vector of ions and electrons at low energy (ions between 13 eV and 20 KeV, electrons of 200 eV to 40 KeV) present in the aurora of Jupiter. On JADE, like JEDI, the electron analyzers are installed on three sides of the upper plate which allows a measure of frequency three times higher.[45][46] (Principal investigator: David McComas, Southwest Research Institute)
Jovian Energetic Particle Detector Instrument
JEDI
The energetic particle detector JEDI will measure the angular distribution and the velocity vector of ions and electrons at high energy (ions between 20 keV and 1000 keV, electrons from 40 keV to 500 keV) present in the polar magnetosphere of Jupiter. JEDI has three identical sensors dedicated to the study of particular ions of hydrogen, helium, oxygen and sulfur.[46][47] (Principal investigator: Barry Mauk, Applied Physics Laboratory)
Radio and Plasma Wave Sensor
Waves
This instrument will identify the regions of auroral currents that define Jovian radio emissions and acceleration of the auroral particles by measuring the radio and plasma spectra in the auroral region.(Principal investigator: William Kurth, University of Iowa)
Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph
UVS
UVS will record the wavelength, position and arrival time of detected ultraviolet photons during the time when the spectrograph slit views Jupiter during each turn of the spacecraft. Using a 1024 × 256 micro channel plate detector, it will provide spectral images of the UV auroral emissions in the polar magnetosphere. (Principal investigator: G. Randall Gladstone, Southwest Research Institute)
JunoCam
JCM
A visible light camera/telescope, included in the payload to facilitate education and public outreach. It will operate for only seven orbits around Jupiter because of the planet's damaging radiation and magnetic field. (Principal investigator: Michael C. Malin, Malin Space Science Systems)

Operational components

Solar panels

Illumination test on one of Juno's solar panels

Juno is the first mission to Jupiter to use solar panels instead of the radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) used by Pioneer 10, Pioneer 11, the Voyager program, Ulysses, Cassini–Huygens, New Horizons, and the Galileo orbiter. It is also the farthest solar-powered trip in the history of space exploration.[48] Once in orbit around Jupiter, Juno will receive 4% as much sunlight as it would on Earth, but the global shortage of Pu-238,[49][50][51][52] as well as advances made in solar cell technology over the past several decades, makes it economically preferable to use solar panels of practical size to provide power at a distance of 5 AU from the Sun.

The Juno spacecraft uses three solar panels symmetrically arranged around the spacecraft. Shortly after the spacecraft cleared Earth's atmosphere the panels were deployed. Two of the panels have four hinged segments each, and the third panel has three segments and a magnetometer. Each panel, is 2.7 meters (8.9 ft), by 8.9 meters (29 ft) long,[53] the biggest on any NASA deep-space probe.[54]

The combined mass of the three panels is nearly 340 kg (750 lb).[55] If the panels were optimized to operate at Earth, they would produce 12 to 14 kilowatts of power. Only about 486 W will be generated when Juno arrives at Jupiter, declining to near 420 W as radiation degrades the cells.[56] The solar panels will remain in sunlight continuously from launch through to the end of the mission, except for short periods during the operation of the main engine. A central power distribution and drive unit monitors the power that is generated by the solar panels, distributes it to instruments, heaters and experiment sensors as well as batteries that are charged when excess power is available. Two 55-amp-hour lithium-ion batteries that are able to withstand the radiation environment of Jupiter will provide power when Juno passes through eclipse.[2]

Telecommunications

Juno supports tone-fault signalling for cruise-mode operations, but it is expected to be used less often. Communications are via the 70-meter antennae of the Deep Space Network (DSN) utilizing an X-band direct link.[2] The command and data processing of the Juno spacecraft includes a flight computer capable of providing ~50 Mbit/s of instrument throughput. Gravity science subsystems use the X-band and Ka-band doppler tracking and autoranging.

Propulsion system

Juno uses a bipropellant LEROS 1b main engine, manufactured by AMPAC-ISP in Westcott, UK.[57] It uses hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide for propulsion and provides a thrust of 645 newtons. The engine bell is enclosed in a debris shield fixed to the spacecraft body, and is used for major burns. For control of the vehicle's orientation (attitude control) and to perform trajectory correction maneuvers, Juno utilizes a monopropellant reaction control system (RCS) consisting of twelve small thrusters that are mounted on four engine modules.[2]

Galileo's plaque and Lego figurines

Galileo's plaque

Juno carries a plaque to Jupiter dedicated to Galileo Galilei. The plaque was provided by the Italian Space Agency and measures 7.1 by 5.1 centimeters (2.8 by 2.0 in). It is made of flight-grade aluminum and weighs 6 grams (0.21 oz).[58] The plaque depicts a portrait of Galileo and a text in Galileo's own hand, penned in January 1610, while observing what would later be known to be the Galilean moons.[58] The text translates as:

On the 11th it was in this formation, and the star closest to Jupiter was half the size than the other and very close to the other so that during the previous nights all of the three observed stars looked of the same dimension and among them equally afar; so that it is evident that around Jupiter there are three moving stars invisible till this time to everyone.

The spacecraft also carries three Lego figurines representing Galileo, the Roman god Jupiter and his wife Juno. In Roman mythology, Jupiter drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief. From Mount Olympus, Juno was able to look into the clouds and reveal her husband's real nature. Juno holds a magnifying glass as a sign for searching for the truth and her husband holds a lightning bolt. The third Lego crew member, Galileo Galilei, has his telescope with him on the journey.[59] Although most Lego toys are made of plastic, Lego made these figures of aluminum to endure the extreme conditions of space flight.[60]

Timeline

Date Event Status
August 2011 Launched Completed
August 2012 Trajectory corrections[61] Completed
September 2012
October 2013 Earth flyby for speed boost Completed
4 July 2016 Arrival to Jupiter and polar orbit insertion[3]
Science phase: 37 orbits planned over 24 months
February 2018 Spacecraft disposal in the form of a controlled deorbit into Jupiter[3]

See also

References

  1. "Juno Mission to Jupiter—NASA Facts" (PDF). NASA. April 2009. p. 1. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Juno Spacecraft Information – Power Distribution". Spaceflight 101. 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greicius, Tony (21 September 2015). "Juno – Mission Overview". NASA.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  4. "Mission Acronyms & Definitions" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  5. Dunn, Marcia (August 5, 2011). "NASA probe blasts off for Jupiter after launch-pad snags". MSN. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  6. Winds in Jupiter's Little Red Spot almost twice as fast as strongest hurricane
  7. "NASA – Juno's Solar Cells Ready to Light Up Jupiter Mission". www.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  8. "NASA's Juno Spacecraft Launches to Jupiter". NASA. August 5, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  9. Dunn, Marcia (August 1, 2011). "NASA going green with solar-powered Jupiter probe". USA Today.
  10. "NASA's Shuttle and Rocket Launch Schedule". NASA. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  11. 1 2 Juno Mission Profile & Timeline Archived November 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  12. "Atlas/Juno launch timeline". July 28, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  13. Juno's Solar Cells Ready to Light Up Jupiter Mission
  14. Juno Spacecraft Overview Juno – NASA's Second New Frontiers Mission to Jupiter. Accessed August 6, 2011
  15. "Atlas/Juno launch timeline". Spaceflight Now. July 28, 2011.
  16. "NASA's Juno is Halfway to Jupiter". NASA. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  17. "Juno Institutional Partners". NASA. 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
  18. "NASA Sets Launch Coverage Events For Mission To Jupiter". NASA Press Release. July 27, 2011.
  19. Cureton, Emily Jo (June 9, 2011). "Scientist with area ties to study Jupiter up close and personal". Big Bend Now. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  20. "Juno – Science: Objectives". juno.wisc.edu. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
  21. "Juno Science Objectives". University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  22. Iorio, L. (August 2010). "Juno, the angular momentum of Jupiter and the Lense–Thirring effect". New Astronomy 15 (6): 554–560. arXiv:0812.1485. Bibcode:2010NewA...15..554I. doi:10.1016/j.newast.2010.01.004.
  23. Helled, R.; Anderson, J.D.; Schubert, G.; Stevenson, D.J. (December 2011). "Jupiter's moment of inertia: A possible determination by Juno". Icarus 216 (2): 440–448. arXiv:1109.1627. Bibcode:2011Icar..216..440H. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2011.09.016.
  24. Iorio, L. "A possible new test of general relativity with Juno". Classical and Quantum Gravity 30 (18). doi:10.1088/0264-9381/30/19/195011.
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  28. (2:00 within video)
  29. 1 2 Moomaw, Bruce (March 11, 2007). "Juno Gets A Little Bigger With One More Payload For Jovian Delivery". SpaceDaily. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  30. Bruce Moomaw, Juno Gets A Little Bigger With One More Payload For Jovian Delivery, 2007
  31. "Setting up Juno's Radiation Vault". NASA. July 12, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  32. "Understanding Juno’s Orbit: An Interview with NASA’s Scott Bolton". Universe Today. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  33. "Instrument Overview". Wisconsin University-Madison. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  34. "Key and Driving Requirements for the Juno Payload Suite of Instruments" (PDF). JPL. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  35. "Juno Spacecraft: Instruments". Southwest Research Institute. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  36. "Juno Launch: Press Kit August 2011" (PDF). NASA. pp. 16–20. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  37. "MORE AND JUNO KA-BAND TRANSPONDER DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, QUALIFICATION AND IN-FLIGHT VALIDATION" (PDF). Laboratorio di Radio Scienza del Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale, università "Sapienza". 2013.
  38. T. Owen; S. Limaye (23 October 2008). University of Wisconsin, ed. "Instruments : Microwave Radiometer".
  39. University of Wisconsin (ed.). "Juno spacecraft MWR". Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  40. T. Owen; S. Limaye (23 October 2008). University of Wisconsin, ed. "Instruments : The Jupiter Infrared Aural Mapper".
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  42. John Anderson; Anthony Mittskus (23 October 2008). University of Wisconsin, ed. "Instruments : Gravity Science Experiment".
  43. University of Wisconsin (ed.). "Juno spacecraft GS". Retrieved 2015.
  44. Dodge et al., op. cit. p. 8.
  45. University of Wisconsin (ed.). "Juno spacecraft JADE". Retrieved 2015.
  46. 1 2 Dodge et al., op. cit. p. 9.
  47. University of Wisconsin (ed.). "Juno spacecraft JEDI". Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  48. "NASA's Juno Mission to Jupiter to Be Farthest Solar-Powered Trip". Retrieved 2015-10-02.
  49. David Dickinson (March 21, 2013). "US to restart plutonium production for deep space exploration". Universe Today. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  50. Greenfieldboyce, Nell. "Plutonium Shortage Could Stall Space Exploration". NPR. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  51. Greenfieldboyce, Nell. "The Plutonium Problem: Who Pays For Space Fuel?". NPR. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  52. Wall, Mike. "Plutonium Production May Avert Spacecraft Fuel Shortage". Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  53. Juno Solar Panels Complete Testing
  54. NASA's Juno Spacecraft Launches to Jupiter
  55. "Juno's Solar Cells Ready to Light Up Jupiter Mission". Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  56. "Juno prepares for mission to Jupiter". Machine Design. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
  57. Amos, Jonathan (4 September 2012). "Juno Jupiter probe gets British boost". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  58. 1 2 "Juno Jupiter Mission to Carry Plaque Dedicated to Galileo". NASA. August 3, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  59. "Juno Spacecraft to Carry Three Figurines to Jupiter Orbit". NASA. August 3, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  60. Peter Pachal (August 5, 2011). "Jupiter Probe Successfully Launches With Lego On Board". PC Magazine.
  61. "Juno's Two Deep Space Maneuvers are 'Back-To-Back Home Runs'". NASA News. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 2015-10-12.

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